Vegan-friendly
Lacto
American
Organic
Catering
Fusion
Wine
A more upscale vegetarian cuisine restaurant that also makes nut spreads (peanut butter, almond butter). Each day's menu changes and is written on a chalkboard. Small, with mostly all-white eclectic furniture. Motto is "nouveau comfort food." Prices are moderate to slightly expensive with a dish priced around $12 to 16. Reported closed to HappyCow, Oct 2014.
12 Reviews
First Review by marla5575
downunderdave
Points +126
Appears to have closed - Edit
We went to Spread on October 19, 2014, but it was no longer there.
Read moreGuest
stacypatel
Points +157
CLOSED? - Edit
Although I went during posted business hours twice in the past two weeks, the restaurant is not open, although tables are set. I also cannot reach the staff from the listed numbers to inquire and emails are not answered.
Read moreGuest
Chia
Points +3635
Comment - Edit
I had read about this place on happycow and stopped by in June 2012. Here's my comment about Spread - not a food review.
Read moreAs I had already eaten dinner at Casa de Luz vegan restaurant just directly across the street, I didn't have any room in my tummy for more food. But I did want to have a look at Spread's menu and space and share my findings with HappyCow members. Also I had heard about spread for some years now, so I felt the desire to check it out.
It's a small space but filled with lots of rounded all-white tables and chairs. At 2 of the tables there were round, ball-like seats hanging from the ceiling. It was quite trippy.
The day's menu is written on a chalkboard, and I was told by the waiter that it changes often. There was a thai garlic fries, a cheese plate, an eggplant fritters, and a couple other ones. I saw the dishes cost ranged from $12 for a starter to $16 for a main plate.
It was a Friday evening but business seemed slow with only 1 table occupied by 2 patrons.
In any case it was an interesting investigation and I will return to try the vegan offerings the next time I visit San Diego North Park district.
Pros: creative dishes
Cons: needs better ventilation
Guest
lebfam
Points +97
Super Fun Meal! - Edit
We had dinner recently with my cousins at Spread - various levels of veg*n & meat eaters. I've had many veg*n and raw meals all over the country. I can honestly say this was one of the most fun, memorable dinners I have had -- but not for the right reasons. The offerings at Spread tend toward the delusional. I believe that the owners have good intentions and are passionate about what they are doing, but you can't serve sliced zucchini and call it "raw pasta" or strawberries with toasted choc nibs (I think?) and call it "raw chocolate cake." The descriptions were so over the top as to be comical and the portions small. Some of the food was legitimately tasty and overall pretty healthy (despite the huge amount of oil & salt), but not enough to justify the unbelievable price. I usually won't write negative reviews -- I'd rather just not say anything than do anything to potentially do harm -- but it this case, Spread has got to get more down to earth and do some serious reflection about what they want to be. Maybe it was the Kava we accidentally ingested at Kava Bar down the street (before we realized what Kava is), but I suggest saving your money and go to another one of the many fab veg*n places in SD, or be prepared to splurge and have a hilarious meal at Spread.
Read morePros: Hilarious, Some good tasting food, Interesting Water
Cons: Meal not as described, Super expensive, Not particularly great food
Guest
dinakourda
Points +98
Good but Expensive - Edit
Spread said that they were unusually booked, so we felt lucky to be in when I called for reservations. We arrived a few minutes after 6 pm and had to rap on the locked door; they reluctantly let us in. For a while we were the only ones in the restaurant and wondered what the big fuss was about. By the time we left about 7 pm, they were almost full. They had one portable menu that they were finishing up, so we had to wait until that was done before we could decide on what to order. Only one table can look at the menu at a time. After we had ordered, we had some time to read the Happy Cow/VegOut reviews on my mobile app. This was a good thing as we were able to prepare ourselves for the small portions. I did notice that there was a disparity between the reviews. It was obvious that the restaurant stakeholders had included their own reviews (the chef works really hard, repeated mentions of fresh local organic produce, threats to leave San Diego because patrons are cheap, etc.). But seriously, do people really believe that all produce is picked that day? If you go to the farmer's market at 9 am, there's no way people are picking produce that morning at 5 am. Try the day before. Oh and one reviewer said they ate at places all over the country, yet Spread was the best. Apparently, they had never hit SF or NYC for fine vegan dining, or they're a Spread owner/chef.
Read moreWe had an artichoke pasta dish and pureed cauliflower with veggies (these 2 items were $37 - yikes). To be fair they were both really good, but the pasta was swimming in oil and the cauliflower was drizzled (drenched?) with oil and we each had one bite was way too salty. The reviews were helpful in helping us decide NOT to order dessert. I liked the decor (lots of contrasts, the casual dress of the wait staff/owners (all in Spread t-shirts and jeans) but table cloths and cloth napkins, the modern clean look of the furniture and walls but dead tree branches hanging down from the ceiling, etc. The plastic pool chairs were nicer to look at than sit in, but weren't that uncomfortable.
In summary, the food was beautiful, creative, and tasty, but too much oil and at times too much salt. Slightly overpriced. The decor was okay, but it did get noisy once the dining room filled up, the wait staff/owner were great, but they need to invest in at least another chalk board (which was sometimes moved out to the sidewalk) or a couple of Etch-a-Sketches. All but one of the selections could be veganized.
Pros: Friendly Staff, Great Food, Vegan Friendly
Cons: Very Oily, Expensive, Difficult Parking
Guest
vinnycat
Points +59
great food, fun atmosphere - Edit
had a great experience at Spread. the food was fresh, beautiful, and yummy. Almost all the options were vegan. all were organic and local. they used lots of edible flowers. my husband who is not veg loved it also
Read morePros: excellent food, friendly staff, beautiful presentation
Guest
jamber79
Points +376
cool place - Edit
Very trendy upscale place. a little expensive, but the food is good. Very limited menu, because they use very fresh ingredients. Seating is uncomfortable. Staff/management was helpful with info and vegan requests.
Read morePros: fresh food, healthy
Cons: crowded seating, prices
Guest
gr8vegan
Points +2359
Definitely a 5, but some may not like - Edit
Spread is like a Tapas style veggie place, except each tapa is $16. The dishes are so amazingly flavorful. Its like alchemy with flower infusions. Even the water is flavored. Don't miss out on their cocktails either. The negative is that its not your typical large vegan overload food for the $. Also, they use a lot of oil. Next time we're going to try to request oil free, but we didn't want to insult the chef. Its a really great, inventive place and if you're really into experiencing new things / flavors its for you. If you want a burrito the size of a football, then no.
Read morePros: inventive, flavorful, drinks
Cons: small portion, too much oil, uses toxic cleaning products
Guest
ehoch
Points +25
VERY GOOD FOOD - Edit
The food at Spread is very good. I am not sure where some of the poor reviews are coming from - but the owner is clearly passionate about offering only fresh organic gourmet food. The price is a little higher than most places - but by no means more than a good regular restaurant. I think some of the people here equate vegan to cafes and health food stores. The portion sizes were fine - we shared a salad and 2 entrees for 2 people - plenty of food. The desert was simple - fruit and one of the spreads as a dip - great.
Read moreThey were very serious about explaining the menu to you - we felt like we were back in school - but we will for sure go back.
Pros: Food, Staff, changing menu
Cons: decor
Guest
seeUsoon
Points +39
Spread the bad news - Edit
The restaurant is more about selling an experience by setting a chic and hip atmosphere. It is not a place to enjoy a plate of deliciously prepared vegetables. It's too much about being cool than being comfortable enough to enjoy your food. Although the food was "prepared" creatively, the amount was just ridiculously small. I like the idea of using fresh and local supplies; however that was the only thing I like about Spread. If you want to waste your time and money, this is the perfect place for you.
Read morePros: vegan, local foods
Cons: small portion, costly
Guest
macrocpa
Points +69
Creative but salty - Edit
A stark, hard surfaced interior made the LOUD music all that much too loud. The menu is definitely creative with fresh fine quallity food. However, I like food with some salt, not salt with some food. A lighter touch w/the salt would make the fine quality ingredients and creative gourmet food a good dining experience.
Read morePros: Healthy cusine, friendly staff, nice space
Cons: loud music, very salty
Guest
marla5575
Points +107
Spread - Edit
i agree with some other reviewers - this place is not worth the price. the food is tasty, fresh and creative, but is very limited, very expensive, and the ambiance leaves much to be desired. for the price, i expect upscale decor and a complete menu. i think the edible flowers are actually a nice touch.
Read morePros: creativity
Cons: price
Guest
For Members
Why was my review removed? Guidelines for writing a review View our privacy policyFor Business Owners
Claim this business See inaccurate information? Submit an update here Link to this page from your site See an unfair review? View full terms & conditionsThis page has been viewed 13702 times.